Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2 Review

 

Writer: Justina Ireland

Pencilers: Marcelo Ferreira & Chris Campana

Inkers: Roberto Poggi, Sean Parsons & Craig Yeung

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Marcelo Ferreira, Roberto Poggi & Rachelle Rosenberg

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 12, 2024

 

Peter Parker teamed with the Lizard and Misty Knight to rescue her partner Colleen Wing and Dr. Michael Morbius. The Lizard led Spider-Man and Misty to an abandoned church with an underground lair. But when vampires swarmed the fake church, the terrific trio sought refuge at a church guarded by troops armed with holy water weaponry. Can Spider-Man, Misty, and Lizard rescue Colleen and Dr Mike? Does Dr Mike have a cure for vampirism? And why do vampires seem drawn to the Lizard? Let’s grab some garlic, thwip into Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2, and find out!

 

Story

TJ once worked for the Beyond Corporation. Now, he is Theocritis, the vampire CEO of Hemoglobin Inc. Theocritis is developing three vampire-related products for the market. One of them is Cure, which curbs a vampire’s bloodlust. Theocritis used Dr Morbius' blood to engineer Cure. Dr Morbius has spent years seeking a way to go from Living Vampire to Human. Hemoglobin Inc. hasn't found the solution, but they've achieved promising results. Dr Morbius agrees to peruse their research and see if he can help Theocritis. Although he plays it cool, Dr Morbius has a good reason to help out Theocritis in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. The vampire CEO imprisoned Dr Morbius’ friend, Colleen Wing. The private eye can shrug off a pair of handcuffs, but Colleen will need more than a hairpin to escape the vampire compound.

 

While others largely yanked Peter’s strands until now, he plays detective as effectively as Colleen or her partner Misty in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. He doesn’t benefit from Theocritis’ briefing, but Spider-Man intuits the Lizard's vampiric appeal. That victory comes with a cost. Still, it enhances Spider-Man's understanding of the web in which Misty and the Lizard ensnared him. Theocritis founded his company on Beyond Corporation’s proprietary technology. Maxine Danger insists that anything Theocritis develops belongs to her. Spider-Man plays it cool and doesn’t give away that he discovered Misty and Colleen were working with Maxine Danger.

 

Justina Ireland doesn’t clarify Theocritis’ connection with Blade and The Structure. Still, a vampire invasion provides the perfect cover for Theocritis to ramp up his vampiric business operations. Theocritis is on a rapid journey from office flunky to CEO, but he's still a fanboy. The way he manipulates an employee suggests his goals are less than noble. Still, at least Theocritis' efforts address a social ill that most elected officials would rather ignore than tackle.

 

 

 

 

Art

Justina Ireland’s story is so spectacular that it takes an army of artists to bring it to life in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. Marcelo Ferreira, Chris Campana, Roberto Poggi, Sean Parsons & Craig Yeung convey the impressive laboratory of Hemoglobin Inc. Colleen peers out through the glass panel of her sanitized pen. Her expression and the bite marks on her neck suggest she's no longer in a hitting-and-quipping mood. High-speed camera shots reveal Spider-Man's acrobatics in the park, but the Lizard's ground-shaking landing disperses the undead. Maxine Danger may have escaped jail, but the prim and stylish CEO opts for attire and a new corporate vehicle taken from Wez’s gang in The Road Warrior.

 

Rachelle Rosenberg conveys the cleanroom environment of Theocritis' biotech startup. He may wear a suit, but his all-red ensemble suggests his likely future residence, provided Maxine doesn't get to him first. The skies of New York take on attractive pinks, purples, and oranges. The lamp posts and the glowing headlights of Misty’s motorcycle illuminate the yellow-green ground fog that hovers over the park. Rosenberg also enlivens silhouettes with purple highlights, completing the eerie atmosphere in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. Amid all the gray, bloodless vampires, Misty Knight's red outfit, enlivened with reflective black leather and her golden arm, seems the perfect foil for pink-haired Maxine's Punk sensibilities.

 

Cory Petit thwips large black uppercase lettering into white dialogue balloons and white narrative boxes with red borders. Spider-Man’s thwips and the Lizard's roaring complete this story of corporate warfare and the toll it takes on everyone when CEOs value profits over people. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

After his recent battles with Ben Reilly, Peter Parker finally meets the woman who stole his clone’s memories. While Miles Morales’ mentor agrees to meet Peter halfway, her partner is in danger of joining the undead in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #2. But is a manufactured vampire the equal of a natural-born bloodsucker?

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Blood Hunters #1 Review

 

Writers: Mark Russell, Christos Gage & Erica Schultz

Artists: Bob Quinn, Javier Garrón & Bernard Chang

Colorists: Matt Milla, Morry Hollowell & Marcelo Maiolo

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: Greg Land & Frank D’Armata; Declan Shalvey

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: May 8, 2024

 

Day becomes night as Darkforce energy invites vampires to dine on our world. How can three superheroes prevent New York City from becoming their bloody smorgasbord? Let's grab our garlic, stakes, and symbols of our beliefs, leap into Blood Hunters #1, and find out!

 

The City That Never Weeps

Story

Mayor Cage may have nixed Fisk's Powers Act, but Hawkeye is on the lam in Blood Hunters #1. For some reason, people think he assassinated a UN ambassador. But when two police officers see through his disguise and try to arrest him for such trifles, the skies turn dark, and they find more important things to do. Mostly, they do a lot of yelling and screaming as vampires crash the diner. Hawkeye goes all Buffy The Vampire Slayer, but after defending his fellow patrons, he realizes his job isn't over. This neighborhood needs protection, and not from Tombstone's heavies.

 

In The City That Never Weeps, Hawkeye enlists a puppet therapist, a Spanish-speaking priest, and a burly Union worker to stamp out the Darkforce invasion. Writer Mark Russell's story reminds us how much like-minded people can accomplish when working together toward a goal. Russell uses the same low-key, playful dialogue and storytelling that made his recent Traveling To Mars series a joy to read. As the story nears its completion, and Hawkeye heads off for Shawarma, Russell also reminds us how important it is to heed government advisories during a vampire invasion and pack plenty of "light-to-medium-strength wooden stakes.”

 

Art

Bob Quinn ups the fun factor with Hawkeye marveling that the police recognize him with a mustache. While the police disappear amid the chaos, the young therapist wears a Save The Bees T-shirt and screams at his undead pursuer. But he joins Hawkeye on the roof of a restaurant to view the body-strewn street and vampires chasing citizens on the sidewalks. Later, he fights alongside Hawkeye in Blood Hunters #1, impaling vampires with his wooden puppet. Matt Milla sets the action under turquoise-streaked darkness, with streets and buildings muted, allowing people and vehicles to stand out. Interiors are more vibrant and help golden-haired Hawkeye glow with his purple outfit, bow, and arrows.

 

Joe Caramagna fires large uppercase lettering in white dialogue balloons and lavender narrative boxes while filling the air with loud hisses, screams, and crashes, the sounds of arrows leaving bows and plunging into bodies, and an intriguing but almost anticlimactic Ploof.

 

 

 

Blood Relations

Story

John waits for his father, J Jonah Jameson, to take him to lunch. But JJJ hurries past him to the balcony. John realizes the day is dark as the driver or assistant shouts a warning. A vampire bat crashes through a concrete wall. JJJ sees John transforming and begs him to let Spider-Man handle this, but John turns into Man-Wolf and takes the vampire for a ride off their roof.

 

Christos Gage peppers this action-packed story about a father and son protecting their city with MCU dialogue and complex character dynamics. Gage pokes fun at authority figures such as news and talk show personalities with JJJ's bluster, while John, even in werewolf form, proves the voice of reason. Yet JJJ is surprisingly proactive. He is the first to notice the darkening sky. JJJ quickly calls Spider-Man for assistance. He formulates plans to protect New York City. He quickly reduces a wood and cloth patio chair into stakes and a carrier bag to become J Jonah Jameson the Vampire Hunter! Take that, Abraham Lincoln!

 

Gage’s contribution to Blood Hunters #1 reminds us how families can weaken and empower their members, how we often yearn for authoritarian leadership, and

how beliefs can give us superpowers.

 

Art

His son may transform into Man-Wolf, but JJJ burns with frenetic energy in Blood Relations. John conserves his strength and remains calm and composed even in werewolf form. JJJ’s expression constantly changes as each new thought and feeling rocks his world. And despite all the money he's accumulated and the power he wields, he can only enjoy the view of his city from his high-rise apartment patio through cage-like iron bars.

 

Javier Garrón’s vampire-bat evokes Barry Windsor-Smith’s portrayal of Conan The Barbarian’s flying foes. Garrón also conveys John's amazement as he watches the Avengers battle a horde of vampire bats while he's just tackled one. In addition to the vampire-bat, other vampires menace father and son. Vampirism transformed them, yet their supernatural power accentuates their individuality.

 

Morry Hollowell brightens the darkened day with purple, maroon, orange, and yellow in Blood Hunters #1, pairs a silhouette with red to capture a violent moment, and pokes fun at JJJ’s fashion sense with flood-ready slacks and by making him carry a pink bag with white spots. Joe Caramagna hurls large-size uppercase black words into dialogue balloons, scares up crashes and impacts, and emphasizes that the humane way to kill vampires is a wooden stake.

 

 

 

Once More Into The Darkness: Part 1

Story

Darkforce energy consumed her partner. Without Cloak by her side, Dagger defends her adoptive home in New York City. Vampirism alters but doesn’t overpower villains in Erica Schultz's story, as drug dealers find a new way to prey on the citizens of NY’s Theater District.

 

Dagger's thoughts guide us through her battle against bloodthirsty drug dealers. Once More Into The Darkness: Part 1 is aptly named, as Dagger sympathizes with those she fights. Like a vampire, she has known insatiable craving. As more friends get drawn into dangerous situations, Dagger struggles to protect them from themselves.

 

Art

Bernard Chang brings big-screen appeal to Once Into The Darkness: Part 1. Dagger moves swiftly and athletically as she bounds, whirls, and flings psionic light daggers at her fanged opponents. Whether thin or muscular, the vampires show exceptional poise and definition, and their demonic features are haunting. Marcelo Maiolo brings a moody atmosphere to Blood Hunters #1 by contrasting cool browns and blues with bright yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds, giving this final story a film noir quality. Joe Caramagna breathes big uppercase letters into more narrative boxes than dialogue balloons, while the Shunk of psionic daggers gives Dagger hope before dispelling it with an immense heartrending scream.

 

Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Hawkeye soothes New Yorkers’ fright through spirituality, Man-Wolf forces J Jonah Jameson to confront his Spider-Man fixation, and Dagger battles the overwhelming power of addiction in Blood Hunters #1.

 

Rating 9.5/10

 

To preview art for all three stories in Blood Hunters #1 see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

 

Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #1 Review

 

Writer: Justina Ireland

Artists: Marcelo Ferreira, Roberto Poggi, Chris Compana & Craig Yeung; Josemaria Casanovas

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Letterer: Cory Petit

Cover Artists: Marcelo Ferreira, Roberto Poggi & Rachelle Rosenberg

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: May 15, 2024

 

Peter Parker has seen the reluctant Human soul beneath the rabid Vampire mask. He wants to prevent the Vampires from converting more Humans to their toothy throng. But the Lizard has other ideas, and they start with body-slamming Spider-Man. Can Peter Parker get through to the Lizard? Can he enlist the Lizard’s aid to close the Darkforce portals or help save the newly fanged? Let’s grab some garlic, thwip into Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #1, and find out!

 

Main Story

Lizard scores a few points. But then he steps aside to let Misty Knight enter the ring. Misty wants Spider-Man’s help in fighting the incisor invasion. Spidey’s not interested. But then she mentions a cure. What? A cure for vampirism? Tell me more.

 

In Justina Ireland’s story, Spidey thwips across New York City with Lizard and Misty to find Dr Morbius. An undead assault team kidnapped the vampire researcher and Misty's partner, Colleen. Thankfully, Misty slipped a tracker on The Living Doctor. But then the Lizard gets an idea into his scaly Isotope Genome Accelerator Duplicate head and leads the terrific trio in a different direction.

 

Justina Ireland’s first story in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #1 tosses a lot of fun and intriguing ideas into the mix. Two churches feature prominently, along with an underground lair, and the Lizard finds a way to talk without a spell from Hermoine. Readers will meet a priest who blesses Spider-Man’s web fluid, see parishioners armed with holy water guns, and discover a clue to those behind the Darkforce Invasion. Yet, as Spider-Man says in the beginning, “Something about this feels off.” These incongruities irk Spider-Man, so he takes five to do a little solo investigating. While Spider-Man waits for Misty to show her hand, I look forward to Ireland revealing how the pieces of her puzzle fit together in future issues.

 

Art

Tombstone may want Spider-Man dead, but the crimelord can’t match Lizard’s glare. Misty poises like a model clutching a semiautomatic with her bionic hand. She coolly dispatches vampires while the Lizard slams or chomps down on the living dead. Then Lizard charges down an alley, and the wind of his passage lifts his white lab coat into the air. Spidey thwips along, hoping Misty can keep up. But she follows on a motorcycle, pulling an Evel Knight wheelie while smashing a bloodsucker’s noggin. Spider-Man may have had a revelation, but Misty and Lizard display more exuberance than remorse in dispatching the newly undead. Without a cure, it's us against them!

 

Rachelle Rosenberg fills Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #1 with bright and attractive colors. Lizard’s green skin and purple slacks contrast with Spider-Man’s red and blue suit. Bricks that appeared black in ASM #49 are now an appealing turquoise. Rosenberg fills alley backgrounds with green and portrays the throbbing vitality of the city that never sleeps with yellow and orange illuminated buildings under a red sky.  

 

Backup Story

In Justina Ireland’s second installment in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #1, Colleen Wing and Dr Morbius travel in the back of a delivery truck. Dr Mike suggests she give it up, and Colleen demonstrates the benefits of binge-watching Elementary. When the delivery truck arrives, Colleen and Dr Mike haven't computed their location based on sounds and sensations, but they surprise their kidnappers in high-stepping style. As Colleen tells Dr Mike, "Why kick a guy in the face if you're not having fun?

 

As they investigate the premises of a corporation run by vampires, Dr Mike makes a tantalizing comment that puts a new spin on Ireland's Main Story. We also meet the undead CEO who tears out employees who displease him. Like Spider-Man, Dr Morbius and Colleen Wing discover a potential instigator behind the Darkforce Invasion. But will they Unlive to tell about it?

 

Art

Chris Campana and Craig Yeung’s All Ages art shows Colleen keeping her cool while Dr Morbius is grumpy. The vampire employees’ hairless white heads, pointy ears, and red eyes suggest they’d find sanctuary in Limbo should their corporate venture fail. Compana and Yeung enliven this shorter story with action and fighting, and much blood sprays as Colleen trades her gun for Bartitsu stick-fighting.

 

Rachelle Rosenberg contrasts Colleen's red hair with a white jumpsuit, while Dr Morbius' green skin pairs well with his blue and red outfit. While Rosenberg employs a smaller range of colors, Colleen and Dr. Morbius move from the cool blue truck interior to a green and brown parking garage before heading up to the yellow interiors of the bloodsuckers' corporate headquarters.

 

Cory Petit thwips large black uppercase lettering into white dialogue balloons and white narrative boxes with red borders. Petit demonstrates restraint in emphasizing the carnage in this second story in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #1. Yet he helps us hear creaking doors, scraping sarcophagi, and a mob of undead pounding down church doors. Still, nothing tops the Lizard's roar on the first page. It doesn't faze Spider-Man. But then, he's Amazing.

 

Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Spider-Man teams up with the Lizard and Miles Morales’ mentor, while Colleen Wing and Dr Morbius discover exciting business opportunities among the undead. Both groups uncover clues to the source of the Darkforce Invasion in Amazing Spider-Man: Blood Hunt #1.

 

Rating 9.5/10 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.